May I suggest to the original poster that you get in touch with the CAA about transfering your licence. I flew yesterday (Ryanair) with a guy who recently arrived from overseas. He has to complete all 14 CAA exams but the caa can give exemptions for experience I am led to believe.
Not wishing to add to the flames, this chaps RT was poor but I found him to be a good operator. I do feel that FR have been trawling for pilots but I think it is pretty unproffesional to judge someones ability purley on there R/T!.
Norman Stanley Fletcher's posts are ALWAYS honest and accurate. He went out of his way to help me personally recently and I believe he treats people as he finds them irrespective of who they work for.